Detached garage cost in Jackson, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $26,100 – $52,300
- Per sq ft
- $45 – $90
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #236
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Jackson area: $26,100 to $52,300 for 576 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 10% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $23.05 an hour in the Jackson area, 21% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your detached garage cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Jackson, TN, standard level
$33,900 to $44,400
About $58.50 to $76.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,600 |
| Labor | $15,700 | $20,500 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $340 |
| Total | $33,900 | $44,400 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Jackson, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,700 | 53% |
| Labor | $12,100 | $18,100 | $24,100 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $280 | $430 | 1% |
| Total | $26,100 | $39,200 | $52,300 | 100% |
Where the Jackson price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.05 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Jackson is 0.84 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 46% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Jackson is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,800 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.5: $130 to $430.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Jackson. The wage table below marks each row.
Specs and site conditions that change a Jackson bid
Garage apartments
A garage with living space is a different project: HomeGuide puts them at $80,000-$300,000.
Permits
You need a permit for a detached garage: $150-$500 on average, with separate electrical or plumbing permits if those are involved.
Electrical
Running power to a detached garage costs $1,000-$3,800 for a standard build and $5,000 or more for a long trench or amperage upgrade (Angi, Trusscore).
How Jackson compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Jackson. Jonesboro is the lowest at about $36,800 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TNthis page | $26,100 – $52,300 | $39,200 | |
| Memphis, TN75 miles | $26,600 – $53,500 | $40,000 | +2% |
| Clarksville, TN95 miles | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | level |
| Jonesboro, AR100 miles | $24,400 – $49,100 | $36,800 | −6% |
| Nashville, TN125 miles | $27,300 – $54,900 | $41,100 | +5% |
| Decatur, AL135 miles | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | level |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | +2% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Jackson ranks #236 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Jackson is 2% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $27,300 – $54,900 | $41,100 | +5% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $26,600 – $53,500 | $40,000 | +2% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | +2% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | +2% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $26,000 – $52,100 | $39,000 | level |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Jackson against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | +11% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | +12% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $25,400 – $51,100 | $38,300 | −2% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $27,600 – $55,400 | $41,500 | +6% |
Who does the work: Jackson trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 5 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Jackson the blend is 0.84.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $23.05 an hour, 21% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.81 and $26.72 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 20.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $21.45 an hour, which is 5% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.83 and $23.42 an hour. BLS counts 580 of them working in the area, 68.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $21.02 an hour, 23% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.64 and $23.04 an hour. About 180 work in the metro. That is 21.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.02 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.46 and $34.58 an hour. BLS counts 520 of them working in the area, 61.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Jackson metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $21.97 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.33 and $23.53 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $410. That is a swing of roughly 1.1% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Jackson has 84,530 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 227th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.81 | $23.05 | $26.72 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $18.64 | $21.02 | $23.04 | $27.41 | 0.77 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.83 | $21.45 | $23.42 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.46 | $29.02 | $34.58 | $30.38 | 0.96 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.33 | $21.97 | $23.53 | $26.65 | 0.82 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
The best months for detached garage in Jackson
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Jackson Exp Stn (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Jackson are April through June and September through October: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Jackson gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (5.8 inches in March). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.1 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 56 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49 | 27 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 30 | 4.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 62 | 39 | 5.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 73 | 48 | 5.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 66 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 69 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 67 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 60 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 48 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 61 | 37 | 4.5 | Cold |
| Dec | 52 | 31 | 5.3 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Jackson
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Jackson. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$26,100 to $36,600
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$33,900 to $44,400
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$41,800 to $52,300
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $10,900 – $15,400 | $14,300 – $18,700 | $17,600 – $22,000 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $26,100 – $36,600 | $33,900 – $44,400 | $41,800 – $52,300 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $32,500 – $45,600 | $42,400 – $55,400 | $52,200 – $65,300 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $40,700 – $57,000 | $52,900 – $69,200 | $65,100 – $81,500 |
Planning more than one job in Jackson?
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Jackson wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, garage door comes out highest (−7%) and home addition lowest (−14%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,700 | −10% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $640 – $3,450 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | −13% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $32,700 – $66,300 | −14% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $33,900 to $44,400 for Jackson, TN is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the detached garage numbers for Jackson, TN line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Detached garage in Jackson: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Jackson?
For 576 sq ft, expect $26,100 to $52,300 in the Jackson area. A standard-spec job lands at $33,900 to $44,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Jackson?
About $45 to $90 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $130 to $430 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Jackson or Memphis?
Memphis is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $40,000, which is 2% more than Jackson ($39,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Jackson?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $18,100 out of $39,200. Materials are 53% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Jackson?
$32,500 to $65,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Jackson?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $130 to $430 for fees in the Jackson area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Jackson expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Jackson is 2% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($40,000 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Jackson?
The BLS median is $23.05 an hour in the Jackson area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.81 to $26.72.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Jackson?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $26,100 to $36,600 and premium work $41,800 to $52,300. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+When is the best time to build a detached garage in Jackson?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and September through October. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Detached garage near Jackson
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Detached Garage Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Trusscore: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage? 2026 Price Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Detached Garage? [2026 Data] (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range / 1.6, because Angi puts professional labor at roughly an additional 60% of the materials cost (materials about 62.5% of the total).